I was a volunteer diver at the NY Aquarium for about 2-years, and will be again when we move back home. Best thing I ever did. The work was hard, we had to supply all our own gear save for tanks, and the days were quite long (we dives whether it was snowing or stinking hot), but it felt so worthwhile. The ocean has given me so much joy that I felt it was the very least I could do to 'pay it back'. Besides, where else can you dive with everything from harbor seals to jackass penguins to sturgeons to Caribbean reef fish (in the middle of NYC?!) Or blow raspberries at a baby walrus through the glass of his tank (which he always returned!) If seeing me and my colleagues at the aquarium, or listening to our little lectures outside the various exhibits inspired one visitor in 20 to get scuba certified or even think twice about their seafood choices when eating out, then I say: mission accomplished.
The people were/are so wonderful there. Such dedicated folk - to the oceans and waterways, to the animals, and to each other. Christmas, holidays, whatever...the paid staff are there at the crack of dawn to tend the animals, and fuss over them as if they're their own children. Not easy, given the budget cuts they were always faced with, but they made the best of what can be a tough situation. Our dive team was very close-knit: we organized dive trips together at least once a year, as well as the odd informal dinner. Best of all, that's how I met my fiance, although it took a while: I was a weekend volunteer, while Rog volunteered on Wednesdays, so we didn't cross paths immediately. Amazing work, great people, wonderful animals, and true love...working at the aquarium has given me all that and then some. Just when you think diving can't possibly enrich your life more...!